p, and began to speak. And he gave
him to his mother." In view of such miracles, possibly we dwell too
exclusively upon their purpose as authenticating the mission of Jesus, or
as demonstrating his divine message. These purposes are real, but we must
never forget that such works were also manifestations of the nature of the
ministry of Jesus and revelations of the very heart of God. Such recitals
dry the tears of mourners and bind up broken hearts and inspire the
despondent with eternal hope. Surely Jesus is the Lord of life and he will
yet wipe away all tears from the eyes of those that trust him.

5. Jesus Praising John. Ch. 7:18-35

18 And the disciples of John told him of all these things. 19 and
John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to the Lord,
saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another? 20 And
when the men were come unto him, they said, John the Baptist hath
sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for
another? 21 In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and
evil spirits; and on many that were blind he bestowed sight. 22
And, he answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things
which ye have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the
lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead
are raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them. 23 And
blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in
me.

24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say
unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the
wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind? 25 But what
went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they
that are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings'
courts. 26 But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto
you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is
written,

Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,
Who shall prepare thy way before thee.

28 I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none
greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God
is greater than he. 29 And all the people when they heard, and the
publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the
counsel of G